Four Chicagoland Women Leaders to be Honored for Balancing Motherhood, Career and Community Service

The American Lung Association in Greater Chicago, in partnership with the National Mother’s Day Council, will honor four area women at the 2024 Outstanding Mother Awards, presented by UChicago Medicine. The honorees will take the spotlight on November 12 at the Awards Dinner which champions the important role mothers have as mentors, guardians, leaders, supporters and caregivers, along with balancing a demanding career. This year’s class of honorees include:

• Emily Chase, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago

Dr. Chase joined the University of Chicago Medicine as the Manager of Nursing Education in July 2011. Since that time, she has had multiple progressive leadership roles in the organization, including Vice-President of Comer Children’s Hospital as well as Chief Nursing Officer. In addition, she served as Interim President and CEO of UChicago Medicine’s Community Hospital, Ingalls Memorial Hospital in 2022. Dr. Chase has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, and a PhD in Nursing Research and Administration from the University of Illinois. She is also a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a certified Nurse Executive, and a graduate of the Wharton Nurse Executive Program. Dr. Chase lives in Chicago with her wife, daughter and two dogs.

• Kelly A. Dittmann, President and Chief Executive Officer, Envira Global, LTD   

Kelly Dittmann has 25+ years of experience working with Fortune 500® and non-profit organizations on the development and execution of their growth strategies. In her role she is responsible for leading advisory and capital sustainability initiatives that unlock social, environmental, and economic value for customers. Dittmann is currently working with a private investment group to build a Net Zero Sustainability Campus – the first of its kind – that leverages solar, hydrogen, geothermal, and wind as renewable energy sources to power green data centers and water desalination. She currently serves on the Executive Council of Advisors for The Executives’ Club of Chicago, Board Member of Education Leadership. Dittmann holds a B.S. from Purdue University, an MBA in Executive Leadership and Finance from Drake University, and completed the Advanced Strategy Program, Economics, from The University of Chicago, School of Business. She resides in Barington with her husband and son.

• Anna Kooi, CPA, National Financial Services Industry Leader, Partner Executive Sponsor-Women of Wipfli

Anna Kooi is a partner with Wipfli and leads their financial services practice. She has 25 years of experience in serving a variety of public and private clients in the financial industry and has advised clients ranging from startups to Fortune 10. Anna is also accomplished in buy-sell due diligence, IPOs and strategy consulting.

She is a proud mother of two girls and two boys and lives in Naperville; plus she’s a mentor, leader and softball coach.

•    Tely Nagle, Owner of The Drake Oak Brook Autograph Collection

Tely Nagle is the owner of The Drake Oak Brook, Autograph Collection. The Oak Brook native is also a dynamic entrepreneur and Chicago hotelier. In 2013 Nagle and her husband, Jim, saved the Drake Oak Brook from a Ponzi scheme and brought the historic property back to its original grandeur. The Midwest landmark hosted past guests such as Frank Sinatra and King Charles. Nagle’s new developments include residences, the Drake Luxury Yacht brand partnership in Cabo San Lucas, and COA the newly opened restaurant inspired by her Mexican culture and family gatherings over food. She and her husband live in Oak Brook surrounded by their Drake family. Tely is a proud mother and grandmother.

The 2024 Outstanding Mother Awards Dinner Presented by UChicago Medicine will be held on Tuesday November 12 at The Ivy Room Chicago from 5:30p-9:30p. The event will be a celebration with a purpose recognizing leaders and mothers. This unique platform will also raise awareness about the professional development of women and bridging the gap of gender equality. During the evening all guests will be encouraged to take a pledge to raise awareness on lung screening and lung cancer, the number one cause of cancer deaths in American.  All proceeds from this event will benefit the Lung Association’s work in the fight against lung disease, clean air, and healthy living.

For more information, and to purchase tickets, please visit the event’s website or contact Danielle.Trojanek@lung.org.